Darren Wilson is not only Guthrie’s technology director, but a world traveler and minister as well. He has been to Kenya, Africa seven times since 2008 and helps out many Christian organizations that serve the very poor in Kenya like: Ring Road Orphanage, Change a Life Ministry, Hope School of Leadership, and Made in the Streets.

The first time he went to Africa, he worked with Made in the Streets. He helped them build a computer lab for their school and helped train teachers. He went to share his talents, but found out God had a bigger plan for him. He says, “God brought me to Kenya to teach me that there was just as much for me to learn about life and love there than I had to share about teaching and technology.”

Over the years, other ministries have contacted him and asked if he would help them out as well. “I keep going back because God keeps finding more things for me to do there. I have made it a habit of saying only “yes” to anything having to do with Kenya.” Because he said yes, he has added three more organizations to his list and been able to work with many more incredible people.During his trips to Kenya, he has seen and met some very interesting people. “It is hard to understand why so many people have it so hard in life (when we have it so easy), but they are still so content and happy. Anyone who can be happy and content with very little is incredibly rich in spirit.” Whenever he returns from his trips, he always shares his experiences. He has talked at several churches, and even in school. “ Here at home, I get caught up in the many, many things in life that don’t really matter. There, I find myself doing things and paying attention to things that I don’t normally do here.”

All of his trips have been to Kenya. He has stayed in Nairobi, Kamulu and Kisumu. Nairobi is a huge city, larger than Dallas and Fort Worth combined. Kamulu is a small village about the size of Guthrie. Kisumu is the size of Childress, and it is Mr. Wilson’s favorite place to visit. While he is there, he enjoys taking pictures and shooting videos. “When I get my camera out, all the kids love it so much and smile and laugh. Most kids don’t have access to a mirror at their house, so they don’t get to see themselves very often.”

Mr. Wilson is planning a trip back to Kenya in April of 2015. He will be doing a week long teacher training retreat for the 18 teachers at Change a Life Academy, which is an elementary school in one of the largest and poorest slums in Africa. We wish him safe travels, and we can’t wait to hear his new stories!